About the service Oakfield at Yardley Hastings is a residential care and supported living service providing personal care for people with learning disabilities and autism. At the time of inspection, there were three people receiving residential care and seven people using the supported living service.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
The service supports people in a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to ten people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the building supports people requiring residential care in the same building as the people who receive the supported living service. The size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area. There were identifying signs and CCTV however these were discrete and helped to blend the building into the residential area and to minimise the identification of a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People enjoyed living at the home and were empowered to live a fulfilled life. The provider was extremely skilled and committed to forward planning and considering people’s future.
People received safe care, and staff understood safeguarding procedures and how to raise concerns. Risk assessments were in place to manage risks associated with people’s lives, and staff we spoke with felt safe supporting people with a wide range of needs.
Staff recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out. Medicines were stored safely, and records showed that they were administered correctly.
Staffing support matched the level of assessed needs within the service and staff were trained to support people effectively.
People were supported to have their nutritional needs met. Healthcare needs were met, and people had access to health professionals as required. Care plans outlined any support people required to manage their healthcare needs.
People's consent was gained before any care was provided. Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Care plans reflected peoples’ likes, dislikes and preferences. People were empowered to make their own choices about what interests they pursued. This included holidays and activities with staff they enjoyed spending time with.
A complaints system was in place and used effectively. The registered manager was keen to ensure people received good care and support and listened to feedback when provided.
Investigations took place into accidents, incidents and any events that could be learnt from. Learning was shared with the team and improvements were made when required.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 9 June 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.